Negative Calories in Tangerines

by Sirah Dubois

Compared to oranges, tangerines are more tart.

A negative calorie is not a type of calorie; rather, it’s a lack of calories. More specifically, it’s a concept inferring that certain foods, especially fruits and vegetables, take more calories to chew and digest than they provide for your body. Consequently, negative-calorie foods are considered nutritious snacks because they contain vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but they cannot theoretically lead to weight gain. Tangerines are smaller, tarter versions of oranges and classified as a negative-calorie fruit. Some new diets are based on eating negative-calorie foods in order to lose weight, but it’s important to realize that you cannot subsist indefinitely on foods that don’t provide your body with energy.

Tangerines

The tangerine is an orange-colored citrus fruit that is related to the Mandarin orange. It’s indigenous to China and was cultivated at least 3,000 years ago. Tangerines are smaller than most navel oranges and are usually easier to peel. They taste tart, but are considered sweeter than common varieties of oranges. In the United States, tangerines are in season from October to April.

Nutrition and Energy

A typical tangerine yields about 35 calories, which is less than most oranges mainly due to the size difference. Calories are a measure of how much energy a food yields. Tangerines contain no fat and only a small amount of protein. They are, however, very good sources of vitamin C, folic acid and beta-carotene. They also contain other B vitamins and the minerals potassium and magnesium. The skin of tangerines is rich in citrus oils, such as limonene, but most people only eat the flesh of the tangerine.

Negative Calorie Concept

The concept of negative calorie foods is controversial because of the health implications. Nutritious, low-calorie foods often lead to weight loss, but there is a point at which energy requirements become more important than aesthetics. It’s estimated that it takes about 80 calories to chew, digest and process most average-sized fruits and vegetables, according to the book “Human Metabolism: Functional Diversity and Integration.” That number may vary slightly, depending on your metabolic rate, the pH of your stomach, your enzymatic profile and perhaps your chewing habits. In the case of tangerines, the 80 calories that it may take to eat them is more than the 35 calories that they typically provide. Tangerines may provide more calories as they ripen, but eating them is unlikely to lead to weight gain.

Cautions

Tangerines are certainly healthy, low-calorie snacks, but they should not be considered a staple of your diet. They provide many nutrients and supply your body with fiber and water, but they don’t have enough energy to power healthy growth, body repair and immunity. If you are overweight, your body will burn fat for its energy requirements, but once there is no more fat to burn, the body targets protein from muscle and connective tissue. Consequently, you should consult with a nutritionist about a well-balanced diet and save the tangerines for snacks in between meals.

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About the Author

Sirah Dubois is currently a PhD student in food science after having completed her master's degree in nutrition at the University of Alberta. She has worked in private practice as a dietitian in Edmonton, Canada and her nutrition-related articles have appeared in The Edmonton Journal newspaper.

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